Porcelain veneers that caused a lisp.

I just spent a lot of money on porcelain veneers for my front teeth because I didn’t like they way they looked when I smiled. You may not believe it but they didn’t even last a week before they literally started falling apart. I tried to use adhesive to put them back. So I went to a new dentist that replaced the broken ones and added two more to teeth numbers six and eleven. What do you know, the new ones broke the next day as well. This dentist said that the veneers were baked too much and the cracks appeared when my saliva came in contact with them.

So I got another set. Yes, that’s right this is the third set. Although they are not cracking and have stayed in place longer than the others, I know have a lisp. I think it is because they seem to be much longer than the others. Another thing that I don’t like is that tooth number 7 and tooth 10 stick out farther than the surrounding teeth. They look crooked which is super frustrating because they looked straight before. I went back to the second dentist who of course offered to replace the front veneers, AGAIN! I have spent over $6,000 so far and am still unhappy with my smile. Do you have any recommendations? Do you know if I’ll get used to the veneers and if the lisp will eventually go away?

- Paula in New York

Paula,

Sorry to hear about your terrible experience. Unfortunately, it sounds as if you have seen multiple dentists that simply are in over their heads. Even if a dentist advertises for or tells you that they do porcelain veneers, it doesn’t mean that they know what they are doing.

Cosmetic dentistry is an art form. It takes extensive training beyond dental school to master the differences in bonding materials, color manipulation, translucency, and texture. It sounds as if your problems keep compiling and it’s time to visit a true cosmetic dentist.

It is possible that a porcelain veneer may crack, although none of the pieces should fall off because they are permanently bonded in place. Therefore, the original problem may have stemmed from a problem with the dental bonding. A veneer itself is not very strong but it is the bonding that gives them strength.

In regard to your complaint about the veneers being too long, again it can’t be stressed enough about the high skill level that a cosmetic dentist must have to make porcelain veneers look beautiful and lifelike. An expert cosmetic dentist will have several opportunities in the smile design process for you to envision or see exactly what they will look like. Their ultimate goal is to please you by giving you a smile that you will love. There are many methods that can be used to show you how they will look, digital imaging and computer technology, a test set of temporary veneers, or a wax-up model. All of these steps occur before they are permanently bonded so there are no surprises.

Porcelain veneers that are too long and too thick may give you issues while speaking and could cause a lisp.

It sounds like it’s time to forget about the first three dentists that have failed you and make the investment in meeting with a true cosmetic dentist. There are many in your area that are truly passionate about cosmetic dentistry and will settle at nothing less than perfection.

Thank you for sharing your story. Hopefully it will help others that are considering getting porcelain veneers and will prevent them from the same mishaps that you have had to deal with.